MMA Hosts 10th Annual Women on the Water Conference in Partnership with MARAD, Nov 1-3

Posted on: October 29, 2018

CASTINE, Maine—Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) will present the 10th Annual Women on the Water Conference from November 1-3 at the college in Castine. Over the three days, more than 100 maritime academy cadets from the six state maritime academies, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and six Canadian institutions will learn from industry leaders, maritime professionals, academy representatives, and their peers, and network with mariners at all career levels.

“We are excited to welcome our maritime colleagues to campus to connect and learn through presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events. Students and industry professionals will also have the opportunity to spend time aboard vessels in the academy’s fleet,” said MMA Women on the Water President Mary Shea (Class of ’19).

The Women on the Water club at Maine Maritime Academy provides a platform for professional development for women in the MMA community. Members organize and attend networking events, workshops, and community service opportunities.

Featured speakers include: The Honorable Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby, USN (Ret.), Maritime Administrator; Captain Deborah Dempsey, the first female graduate of a maritime academy in an unlimited license program (MMA Class of ’76); Captain Elisabeth Pepper, USCG (Ret.), former commanding officer, U.S. Coast Guard Legal Service; Women Offshore Founder Ally Cedeno; and Rita Hausken, leadership strategist. Thirty panelists—captains, engineers, educators, pilots, logisticians, and other accomplished professionals—will offer their perspective and expertise over the course of the conference.

The Women on the Water conference is made possible through the support of MARAD and industry, academic, and individual sponsors.

About the Women on the Water (WOW) Conference
The Women on the Water (WOW) Conference brings cadets from the State Maritime Academies and midshipmen from the United States Merchant Marine Academy together with professional women and men who are leaders in various sectors of the maritime industry. The event is an excellent opportunity for the cadets/midshipmen and maritime professionals to learn about the exciting careers that are available to them directly from successful women and men, as well as hear about current issues affecting the maritime industry. This is also an excellent opportunity for midshipmen, cadets and current maritime professionals to network and share ideas for professional development.

It is the policy of the United States to encourage and aid the development and maintenance of a merchant marine sufficient to carry the waterborne domestic commerce and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. MARAD understands that a more diverse and inclusive workforce will give rise to a stronger and more prosperous maritime industry, and is committed to attracting more women to maritime careers and supporting their progress in the maritime industry.

About Maine Maritime Academy
Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. The job placement rate for MMA graduates exceeds 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as the Brookings Institution and U.S. News and World Report.